Hello friends! I have great news to share! I was invited by Sandra Peoples to be a speaker at the One Word for 2021 Online Conference for Special Needs Moms! Join me and 20 other special needs parents as we share our testimonies as caregivers and words of encouragement. This online conference will be available for viewing via Vimeo on December 28th - January 1st. Tickets for the conference are $15.00, but I have a...
Do you struggle with finding time for yourself? Are you feeling stressed more often, especially during this global pandemic? If so, you may need to make some time for self-care. Self-care is any activity that you do to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. This is so important, especially for parents of children with disabilities. I was blessed with the opportunity to join Sandra Peoples on her podcast, "Self-Care and Soul-Care for...
I recently participated in my first podcast interview! It took place on the last day of Autism Awareness Month with Kit Kennedy. Kit lives in Australia and has a podcast called, “Unchurchable.” Her podcast discusses issues that make church attendance hard for some people. My interview with Kit was focused on how churches can be more welcoming for persons with autism and their families. Accessibility at church is a global issue that many special needs...
COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has had a profound effect on our world since the first case was discovered in December 2019. This highly contagious virus has resulted in well over a million cases globally, with tens of thousands of people dying all over the world. Many nations are implementing social distancing measures, which restricts the number of people gathering in one place and how close they can be together. These protective measures have...
Faith-based communities are some of our greatest resources in times of uncertainty and fear. Members trust the word of their pastors and will often make decisions based upon their pastor's recommendations and God's word. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, pastors and other faith-leaders have to make sure that accurate information is provided and that adequate support is given to their members. I've heard about pastors that have been hesitant and sometimes even resistant to government...
I have some exciting news to share about the Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative! We are growing and taking things to the next level! In 2016, the Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative was started to promote autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion in faith-based communities. Since then, we have served 32 churches and over 10,800 people have learned about autism at their place of worship! In 2017, we won Honorable Mention at the Patients'...
As the new year begins, many of you will be taking some time to reflect on new year’s resolutions. While making my list, I realized that there are certain goals that I can make that would be very helpful to me as the mother of two sons with autism. Motherhood is a beautiful journey of love and adventure. It’s highs and lows, wonderful surprises and sometimes difficult challenges. My sons have autism, but that certainly...
I am pleased to announce the results of the 2018 Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative. This has been our best year yet! I sincerely thank and applaud all of the churches, organizations, and individuals that partnered with us to make our places of worship more autism friendly. Summary The Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative was created in 2016 to promote autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion in faith based communities around the world! We...
My family participated in an airport tour for persons with autism! It took place at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on April 26, 2018. The tour was sponsored by Delta Airlines and was filmed by CNN staff to promote autism awareness month. It aired on Monday, April 30, 2018 during Michaela Pereira's HLN show. The airport tour was a wonderful opportunity for our boys! They had a chance to see what it is like to...
Words cannot express how I felt on that life-changing day. It was April 11, 2011, the day after my birthday. My mother-in-law sat on the couch with me as my son played with toys on the floor. My husband listened in via phone because he was on an extended deployment to the Middle East. Extreme anxiety set in as the psychologist shared with us why she thought our oldest son met the diagnostic criteria for...